Lawsuit on 20th Century Fox For Stealing Movie Idea For Justin Timberlake’s In Time Sci-Fi

Legendary 20th Century Fox Film Corporation has been served with a lawsuit by a screenwriter for allegedly stealing the plot of his 1996 screenplay for the 2011 sci-fi thriller In Time, starring Justin Timberlake. Odysseus Lappas filed the suit in a Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, October 28.

According to TMZ, writer Odysseus Lappas claims in 1996,he took a screenplay titled Time Card to 20th Century Fox, who made him an offer of $80,000 for the story. Lappas claims he turned down the money because he wanted the opportunity to direct the film [which he wasn't given]

Fifteen years later [2011], 20th Century Fox released the film, In Time, a film set in a future where people stop aging at 25 and must purchase additional time if they wish to continue living. The film was written and directed by Andrew Niccol and starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy and Olivia Wilde. With a budget of $40 million, In Time grossed $173 million worldwide. 

It's alleged that Lappas presented the same plot to the company back in 1996. He claims that the story is directly taken from his 'Time Card' script, which is also set in a dismal future where people stop aging at 25 and must buy time as part of their survival.

According to The Wrap, Lappas' suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, New Regency Productions and Regency Enterprises on Monday, Oct. 28 states that,

"Plaintiff is informed, and believes, and on that basis alleges that 'In Time' includes nearly every creative element of the Time Card Synopsis as well as many of Plaintiff's ideas discussed during the Conference."

The writer is seeking $4.5 million in damages.

According to DailyMail, this is not the first time a lawsuit has been filed against the sci-fi action film. In 2011, Hugo Award-winning writer Harlan Ellison filed a suit against production company New Regency and director Niccol, claiming that the plot was extremely similar to his story Repent Harlequin! 

However, that claim was eventually dropped by Ellison, with no money exchanged between the parties. We'll keep you posted with any more information on this new lawsuit. stay connected!